Movable platform for positioning special machines and tools



B. T. ANDREA.r

MOVABLE PLATFORM FOR POSITIONING SPECIAL MACHINES AND TOOLS.

n APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5, 1921- 1,408,156, Patented Feb. 28, 1922'.

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HTTORNE 5 WIT/V555 Y unirse STATI-:s

PATENT OFFICE.

BIRGER T. ANDREN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 A.' O. SMITH CORPO- RATION, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ACORPORATION OF NEW vYORK.

MOVABLE PLATFORM FOR POSITION ING SPECIAL MACHINES AND TOOLS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 28, 1922.

Application ined March 5, i921. serial Nq. 450,074.

' sin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Movable Platforms for Positioning Special Machines and Tools; and ,l do declare the following to be a clear,

-exact, and complete description thereof.

such as will enable persons skilled in the art to which the invention pertains to malte and use the same, reference being had to the drawings accompanying this specification for a disclosure of one constructionk in which my invention has been embodied.

My invention relates to a movable platform upon which are mounted certain machines and tools designed for the performance ot special operations, for instance, such as take place in uniting' the assembled elements of an automobile or other vehicle trame` and by means of which movable platt'orm the special machines and tools may be brought into and out of position with relation to the assembled frame elements upon which they are constructed and arranged to operate in eifecting such union.

ln the plant ot the assignee corporation, such Jframes are manufactured automatically.. The side bars and cross bars, and other structural elements of the frame, are progressively blanlted, pierced and shaped, and then assembled in the relative `positions which they occupyv in the completed frame. The assembly of the elements is in or upon a traveling' carrier or conveyor jig, which presents such elements in position for the machines or tools to perform the special o erations of reamingj the holes formed in t e juxtaposed elem ents at the Apoints where the union et the parts is'to be effected, inserting` rivets in the said holes,and spreading the rivets so as to unite the elements into a rigid and unitary structure, the said machines and tools also performing such other special operations as may pertain to the particular type of frames then being manufactured. Y d

ln a priorapplication filed by R. Stanley Smith, ou January 2l, 1918, Serial No.

212,934, and patented November 15, 1921, No. 1,397,020, there is disclosed an assemblage of' machines which by their related, connected and successive operations, punch from sheet metal plates and strips the side and cross bar and other blanks used in the construction of an automobile or other vehicle iframe, shape such blanks into channels or otherwise according,- to the particular requirements and purposes appertaining to each, perform the necessary milling or machining operations thereon, assemble the several constituent elements of the frame in their relative positions, and secure all of such elements in their respective final positions by means of rivets, or other means of fastening, so that in a continuous operation of mechanical devices a completed automobile or other vehicle frame is automatically produced. The several operations of the machines comprised in the assemblage referred to occur in sub-divided time cycles, a portion of each time cycle being allotted for the simultaneous performance of the successive machining operations, followed by a conveyor movement of the frame elements during the remainder ofthe time cycle, to advance the elements for the performance of the next succeeding series of operations constitutingsteps in the process of *manufacturinga completed frame.` The assemblage as a whole is thus` operated upon a time schedule which provides for the automatic production of a givennumberrof completed automobile rframes per minute duringthe'operation of the assemblage.

The before referred to as supporting and conveying the assembled frame elements, pass along a line upon each side of which are located the several stations at which the several machines and tools are arranged. The numberfof such stations and the number of machines or tools located thereat, are factors which willf be determined bv the type or character of the particular frame which ,f the assemblage is organized to produce. v

I have found it conducive to the production of the 'desired results to mount the special machines and tools upon platforms or bases, which latter with the machines and tools supported thereon, may have capacity for movement toward the line along which the conveyor jigs pass, so that the said special machines and tools may be brought into the positions which they occupy at the time of the simultaneous performance of their progressive mechanical operations upon the assembled frame elements. Conversely, the platforms with said machines and tools are retracted at the conclusion of thel mechanical operations, so that the conveyor movement of the carrier jigs may take place without interference from the machines and tools previously moved to working positions. rlhe conveyor movement of the jigs is stepby-step from station to station, in the intervals between the work performing operations of the special machines and tools, and while such machines and tools are in their retractedand inoperative positions of rest.

In former constructions, the special ma chines and tools have been mounted upon relatively fixed pedestals or bases, the latter having provisions for adjustment with relation to the line of the work. In such older forms ,of the apparat-us, it has been necessary to provide as a part of the construction of each special machine and tool, some means for moving the work performing devices of such machines and tools into position for operation upon the assembled frame elements, after the conveyor has brought' the latter into a correct position of registry in the line of its travel. A material constructionall advantage resides in my present j plan of mounting` the Special machines and tools so as to be bodily movable into and out ofthe fields of their operation, in that such plan largely eliminates the necessity for the provision of the moving parts in each formerly fixed special machine or tool for positioning the work performing devicesthereof with relation to the work, prior to the actual operation of such devices.

lllyinvention comprises a 4movable platform, designed, as before stated, for the purpose of supporting machines and tools employed in the performance of certain special operations connected with theuniting of assembled, but as yet unattached, automobile frame elements into a permanent structure. The machines and tools are adjustably positioned upon the said platform, and partake of the movements of the latter toward and fiom the line of the work. The platform is of considerable lengtluand is composed of a plurality of sections or units preferably connected or operated so as to be moved as one part. Hence, one movement of the long platform will accurately position all of the machines and tools which have been mounted thereon and adjusted for 'operation, and when so positioned by themove-` mentof the platform upon which they are mounted, the several machines and tools will be actuated for the simultaneous performance of their predetermined progressive operations. Following the retirement of the machines and tools after performing their allotted work, the conveyor jigs, each loaded with an assembled set of frame elements, which latter are progressively united in the Vintervals of the step-by-step feeding movement of the conveyor jigs, are moved so as to present the assembled frame elements at other stations on the line for the succeeding operations. Themachines and tools at theseveral stations are each equipped and adjusted for the performance of a particular operation, so that in the progression the devices employed severally perform their different operations simultaneously, and their like operations successively.

The movable elongated platform is arranged below the plane of the surface of the floor, and reciprocates laterally in a channel or pit beneath a `grid structure, the slots inwliich extend parallel to the line of movement of the platform. Connection between the special 'machines and tools and the movable platform is made through the slots in the grid, so that the platform and the machine and tools carried thereby will move together, when the platform is reciprocated through the actuating means provided therefor.

The top surface of the grid is flush with the surface of the floor of the building, so

that liabilityl to personal injury is safely guarded. If a workman should stand ou the grid within theV area over which the special machines and tools move, his feet will not be caught, but will be slid over the grid in the backward orv forward movements of the mechanisms, without injury to him. Likewise, the grid constitutes a safety cover for the channel or pit in which the moving platform operates, and so prevents the injury whichmight follow the accidental falling'or stepping of a person into the said channel or pit, were the latter not covered by the grid mentioned.

Having thusoutlined the general nature of my invention, I will now proceed to specilically describe the-same, referring to the accompanying drawing as showing one of the forms in which the invention may be embodied, and particularly to the claims appendedto this specification as defining the scope of my invention.

lln the accompanying drawing,

' Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly 1in elevation, on the line 1 1, Fig. 2'. llooking in the direction of the arrow, and showing the arrangement of the movable platform in a pit or channel below the plane of the surface of the floor.

"Fig-2 is a plan view of a section of the devices shown in,V Fig. 1, and showing particularly the arrangement of the grid as part of the Hoor formation.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3 3, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow, and'shoiving the manner invvhich connection is made throughvthe slotted grid between the movable platform and theportj able base for supporting one of the special machines or tools.

Referring now to the drawing, the floor 10 is constructed With a channel or pit 11, for the accommodation of the movable platform 12, the construction and arrangement of which ivill hereinafter, be described. T he Width of the channel or pit 11, will be such as to permit the necessary lateral movements or sideivise reciprocations of the platform 12, yin advancing the special machines and tools to the line of the Work, and their retraction therefrom, to take place.

' The platform 12 conforms in its length to that of the line of travel of the conveyor carrying jigs, which latterare actuated intermittingly in alternation With the Work performing operations of the special machines and tools, as disclosed in the said application'Serial kl`lo212,934l, to advance the assembled frame elements from station to station along the line, for the progressive performance of the successive operations required to be executed by the several special machines and tools.

The platformv 12 is composed of a plurality of sections or units, each of which in the existing construction, has a length of approximately 18 feet. The platform sections or units are coupled togetherat their contiguous ends, and are connected to .their actuating mechanism in such manner that all of the sections are moved simultaneously with a parallel motion, and are actuated as would be an integral construction.

At spaced intervals in the length of the channel or pit, rail or track sections 13 eX- tend transverely thereof. The platform sections or units 12 are provided at each end with flanged rollers 14 which ride upon ther rail or track sections 1B to facilitate the reciprocatory movementsl of the platform ksections or units. The said rollers 14e are journalled in the platfom sections or units. The flanges of the said rollers by engaging the railsA 13, serve to confine the platform sections to the path of their right line lateral movements, and so'pre'vent any undue endivise movement of the platform sections.

The contiguous or meeting, ends of the platform sections or-units 12 are'oppositely offset as` shown in Fig. 2, and-in yeach offset portion a pin 15 is lined. ing betiveen the pins 15, serves-toconnect the platform vsections or units, theA said .pins standing substantially in aline which'is pary allel to the pati of movement of the platform. A slight clearance space, indicated 17 'v in Fig'. 2, is providedbetween the contiguous ends of the platform sections or units, so as to compensate for any slightirregularities A ,riylinlr 16 extend-k which mayl occur in the movement of the platform sections, due' to expansion yor contraction, or other causes, without affecting the position of other ksections or units.

rl`he channel or pit 11 is bridged by a series of transversely extending strips 18, arranged flush with the surface ofthe door, the said strips being` separated a fixed distance so as to form grid, the principal pui'- pose of Which is to constitute a safety cover for the channel or pit. The movable platform 12 reciprocates beneath the grid 18, and the open spaces between and by which the grid members are separated are utilized as a means through which the special machines and Vtools are attached to the mov able platform, so as to be actuated thereby. In laying the licor, separated recesses 21, Will be formed for the reception of the ends of the barsy 18 which constitute the grid. The recesses 21 will be of such depth that the grid members, when placed therein, Willbe flush with the surface of floor leaving the latter entirely free from obstruction.

For convenience in mounting and supporting the special machines and tools in ther desired positions upon the movable platform, as may be demanded by the requirements of the particular Work, and the relative location of the points at which the Work is to be performed, I provide for each special machine or tool a portable base 19, Which latter is formed at its underside'ivith a series of :depending parallel4 ribs 20, adapted to pass through the open spaces in the grid, and rest upon the movable platform. The location of the special machines or tools :with reference to the points at which the machine operations are to be performed having been determined, the portable base 19 will be positioned accordingly upon the platform section or unit 12, with the supporting ribs 2O passing through the slotsof the grid. Any convenient .means for uniting the portable base 19to the movable platform section or unit'maybe employed'. However, I have found lit convenienttoform in the edges of the lmovableplatform sections or units, a series of T-slots 21, in the undercut portions of which be seated the heads of bolts y22, which bolts pass into vertical slots 23, in

the edges of theplatform, so as to clamp in fixed position the portable base 19 upon the movable `platform section` 12. The yPI'O.

vision ofthe portable bases,v 19 and their adaptability to any location on the movable platforms through the provision of thel dependin,f ribs andthe grid,perinits the special` machines and tools to beset approximately in thepositions desired. yHowever, cach special machine kand tool will have as a part of the construction thereof, means for effecting an accurate adyustment sothat the Work performing devices upon each spes-g cial machine and tool vmaybe brought to the iso exact position necessary for effective operation. In an application filed by Thorvald Hansen and Reimar G. F. Kurtze, October 14, 1921, Serial No.A 505,787, there is disclosed a means whereby one of the special machines or tools may be adjusted and accurately positioned upon its base for performing the work for which the ysaid machine or tool is designed.

As hereinbefore indicated, the movable platform is given-a lateral reciprocation, so as to bodily move the special machines and tools mounted thereon intoand out of operative position with reference to the line at which the operations in uniting the assembled frame elements are performed. A specially constructed mechanism for reciprocating the movable platform in the manner described, as well as for actuating' the work performing devices of the special machines and tools, after the latter have been positioned, has been devised by me and is disclosed in an application filed Oct. 14, 1921, Serial No. 505,785, to which reference may be had. Links 22 connected tothe pins 15, in the line at therear side of the platform sections, are actuated by the driving mechanism disclosed in the application last referred to. The said connecting links Q2 being actuated simultaneously, serve to im part the reciprocating movements to the platform sections, so that the latter are moved in unison to advance the special machines and tools to their operative positions for the performance of their progressive operations during the sub-division of the time cycle allotted, and to withdraw such machines and tools upon the completion of such operations. During the retraction and while the special machines and tools are at rest, the conveyor movement of the jigs to advance the work, takes place during the remainder of the allotted time cycle.

As hereinbefore stated, the upper surface `of the grid flush with the level of the floor,

so that a smooth and unbroken surface without projections or obstructions, is provided. The space between ther grid members 18 is comparatively negligible, so that it will not be possible for the foot ofv a workman to be caught therein. Should he stand on the grid in the path of movement of the port-able base, no injury to him lcan result, inasmuch as the portable base inthe movement of the platform '12, will slide over the grid and merely push him out of the position occupied. The grid constitutes a further safety device, in that it provides aprotecting Acover forthe channel or pit 11, in whichV the movable platform 12 operates, and there'- by obviates the liability to injury to the workman, should he accidentally fall orl step into the channel or pit while the platform is moving, were the channel or vided with the safety grid. The grid mempit not pro-i bers 18"may be readily placed in position, and the platform and the portable base 19 mounted thereon, move free from contact with the grid construction` The pedestal of'one of the special ma chines or tools is designated 25 in Fig. 1. The special machines and tools are attached to the portable bases 19, and when it is desired to use any particular machine or tool, the latter, with its attached portable base will be carried to its proper position with relation to the movable platform 12. The longitudinal ribs 20 of the portable base will be passed through the spaces in the grid, and the basemay then be secured to the movable platform in the manner hereinbefore de- Iscribed. This arrangement of providing each special machine or tool with a portable base of .the formation described, permits such machines and tools to be very quickly brought intogposition for use and shiftedto other positions, or removed from the platform with like facility. It is not essential, however, to the successful practice of my in vention that each of the reserve special machines or tools have the portable base affixed thereto, inasmuch as the results desired may be secured by first positioning the portable base upon the movable platform and then attaching the pedestal of the machine or tool to the portable base. This'practice, however. will require the expenditure of an additional amount of time. I may alsoy form the depending ribs 20 as a part of the pedestal ofthe special machine or tool, such ribs passing into the spaces of the grid and resting` upon the platform sections, being secured in position as before.

Modifications may be made in the construction of the apparatus illustrated without departing from thespirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

`1. A grid covering a channel or pit lin the Hoor, a movable platform. reciprocating in the said channelor pit below the grid, and a machine or tool carried by the movable platform and operating above the grid, with connections between the said movable platform andv machine or tool. v

2. A platform laterally movable in a channel or pit, a transversely arranged grid flush with the floor and covering the said channel or pit, and a machine or tool adjustable as to positioniupon the movable platform and operating `over the grid in the movements of the, said platform.

A grid forming part of a floor, a platform movable below the grid, and a portable base for a machine or tool supported by and connected with the movable platform and op@ erating over the grid.

4. A grid forming part of a floor, a movable platform, a portable machine base adjustably positioned thereon, with connections between the movable platform and portable base, such connections extending in the spaces of the grid.

5. An elongated platform comprising sections connected at their ends so as to move in unison, in combination with a plurality of machines or tools adjustably positioned upon the said platform sections, and connections between the said machines or tools and the platform.

6. A floor portion constructed as a grid, a movable platform operating below the grid, portable machine bases operating above the grid and provided with depending ribs which pass through the spaces in the grid so as to support the portable bases from the movable platform, and means for con@ necting the said bases to the platform.

7. A grid covering a channel or pit formed in the floor, spaced rails or tracks transversely disposed in the said channel or pit, a platform arranged therein and laterally moveable over said tracks or rails and under the grid, and a machine or tool connected to the said platform and moving therewith over the grid, the connection between the platform and the machine or tool being Veffected through the spaces in the grid.

8. A platform composed of a plurality of sections, connections between the adjacent ends of the sections whereby the latter move as one part, a plurality of machines or tools adjustably arranged on the said sections, and means for connecting the machines or tools to the platform sections.

9. An elongated platform comprising a plurality of sections, pivotal connections between the adjacent ends of the sections, such connections extending in lines transverse to the platform, and connections at one side of the platform sections, whereby the latter may be actuated as an integral structure, in combination with a plurality of machines or tools adjustably arranged on said plat- `channel or pit and enclosing the platform,

in combination with a machine or tool supported above the grid, with means extending in the spaces of the grid for connecting the machine or tool to the platform, to position the machine or tool for work by the movement of the platform.

11. A floor portion constructed as a grid, tracks or rails thereunder, a platform movable on the tracks or rails below the grid, a.

machine or toolsupported from the platform above the grid, and connections between the platform and machine or tool, such connections being arranged in the spaces in the grid, so that the movement of the platform is imparted to the machine or tool to position the latter for the performance of its work.

l2. A floor portion constructed as a grid, a platform movable thereunder, a machine or tool above the grid, and connections through the spaces in the grid for imparting the movement of the platform to the machine or tool to position the latter for the performance of its work.

13. A laterally movable platform composed of a plurality of sections, connections between the adjacent ends of the platform sections such connections extending in the line of movement of the platform sections, in combination with other connections to the platform sections, whereby the said sections are moved in unison.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name at Milwaukee, this 2d day of March,

B. T. ANDREN.

Witnesses:

W. F. WooLARD, JAS. L. ADAMS, Jr. 

